Archive for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category

Save Money…Be Comfortable

Posted on: April 26th, 2012 by Mary Kennedy No Comments

Automatic thermostats can lower your monthly utility costs while conveniently regulating your comfort by adjusting temperatures on your heating and cooling systems. These can be particularly effective in homes with zoned systems where you live in one area during the day but sleep in a different zone.

There are programmable thermostats available at home improvement stores that can make the adjustments for specific times during the day and specific days of the week. They’ll allow you to override the setting when needed without tampering with the programming. They’ll even remind you to change your filter.

An exciting development is the Wi-Fi enabled thermostat that allows adjustments from any Internet connection such as computer or Smartphone. Imagine how convenient it can be to change your temperature from the car before you get home.

Reasonably priced under $100 for most models, it makes it easy to recapture the cost of the thermostat quickly. Most of the thermostats are designed for do-it-yourselfers; however, you can always have a heating and cooling professional install it for you.

Check out our thermostat Instruction Video by Lowes

Mortgage Interest Deduction is per each Residence… Not per Taxpayer

Posted on: April 10th, 2012 by Mary Kennedy No Comments

A recent U.S. Tax Court ruling clarified the IRS position that the $1.1 million limit for mortgage interest deduction applies per residence and not per taxpayer as some high-priced homeowners were hoping.

A married homeowner filing jointly can have fully deductible interest on a mortgage of up to $1,000,000 of acquisition debt and up to an additional $100,000 of home equity debt. If the married couple files separately, each party is limited to deducting the interest on half of those maximum amounts.

The court case came about when two unmarried individuals who owned a home together as joint tenants felt that they were entitled to deduct the interest on $1.1 million of debt each. IRS did not agree with their understanding and neither did the Tax Court. The Court ruled that the limits apply per residence, not per taxpayer even if a home is co-owned by unmarried taxpayers.

The result for the taxpayers in this case was that their deduction was cut in half resulting in much more income tax due. While this situation only affects a few taxpayers, homeowners in this position should have a discussion with their tax professional.

End of Q1 2012: I “LIKE” What I’m Seeing so Far:

Posted on: March 24th, 2012 by Mary Kennedy No Comments

As we bring the first quarter of 2012 to a close, there is more good news on the horizon and quite frankly, some news that makes me shake my head in wonderment.

One is an excellent blog written and posted by Jessica Huseman@Housingwire.com entitled House committee meets to discuss Nevada foreclosures 62 months too late

In the interest, of not making this political, while Jessica is quick to mention Joe Heck’s name, you may as well through Harry Reid’s name into the mix as well. Even though he’s a Senator and not on the committee, he should have answers as well.

For those of you who are interested, click on the links above to write and ask them “Where the Heck have you Been? I’m going to post this email on my blog and your posted reply’s are welcome.

Let’s steer away from frustration and recognize some good news. Fannie and Freddie could reverse course on principal reductions. While this may be distasteful to some , I think that the quicker we can fix some of these mortgages and sell the foreclosure and short sale inventory down, the better off all homeowners will be as it will help to stabilize prices and turn home prices back in a positive direction.

RE/MAX has introduced a new mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. I downloaded it about a week ago and it’s head and shoulders over the Realtor.com app.

Finally! I would like to brag a little! The Mary Kennedy Team was Named as One of Constant Contacts 2011 Online Marketing All Stars for 2011

We are very proud of the Information we organize and share with readers. Our Email Open and Click Through Rates run just under 3 times the National Average for others in the Real Estate Industry. Our Readers are responsible for giving us these high ratings and we THANK YOU for it.

If you have any questions or feedback, just click REPLY or leave Feedback on my Blog Posts and If I can help, in any way, feel free to call me at (702) 324-1334. Enjoy!

The Mary Kennedy Team Named One of Constant Contact’s 2011 All Stars

Posted on: March 17th, 2012 by Mary Kennedy No Comments

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

LAS VEGAS, NV. – March 17, 2012- The Mary Kennedy Team at RE/MAX Central Las Vegas, a business that provides Real Estate Services, in the Las Vegas Valley  has received the 2011 All Star Award from Constant Contact®, Inc., the trusted marketing adviser to more than half a million small organizations worldwide. Each year, a select group of Constant Contact customers are honored with the All Star Award for their exemplary marketing results. Mary Kennedys E-mail/Internet Marketing results ranked among the top 10% of Constant Contact’s customer base.

The Mary Kennedy Team is dedicated and knowledgeable Las Vegas Valley Real Estate Professionals who provide highly specialized information that will help home Buyers & Sellers make the right Real Estate decisions. Their unique market-knowledge and excellent negotiating skills enable help home buyers and sellers get the optimal price for any property they plan to sell or buy.

“We’re happy to be recognized by Constant Contact for achieving our strong Email and Social Marketing results. Their tools have helped us to better manage client relationships and engagement at a very reasonable cost. In the Real Estate Business, you’re Reputation and Integrity is your whole Marketing Strategy. We will continue to use Constant Contact tools to organize and send information that reader’s value and respond to” commented John Kennedy, the Teams Marketing Representative.

Constant Contact customers using any combination of the company’s Email Marketing, Event Marketing, and Online Survey tools are eligible for this award. Constant Contact looked at the following criteria to select this year’s All Stars:

  • Frequency of campaigns, events, and surveys
  • Open, bounce, and click-through rates
  • Event registration rates
  • Survey completion rates
  • Use of social features
  • Use of mailing list sign-up tools

“There is nothing we like more than to see our customers finding success. It’s the reason Constant Contact was founded, and it’s a thrill to see the fantastic results that our All Stars are achieving,” said Gail Goodman, CEO of Constant Contact. “This group is really leading the charge when it comes to delivering relevant, engaging content that drives real business results. We salute this year’s All Stars for their success, and are honored to have played a part in their achievements.”

About The Mary Kennedy Team- RE/MAX Central, Las Vegas
As real estate experts in the Las Vegas Valley, we will provide you with helpful insights about this beautiful area, and can show you why Las Vegas living is truly something to be desired. With a professional yet friendly approach, we help clients feel comfortable about what can be a stressful decision. In today’s Las Vegas Valley Real Estate Market, there is simply no substitute for a good REALTOR®. Whether you’re aiming to buy or sell property, The Mary Kennedy Team can spell the difference between a smooth transaction and an unsuccessful one.

About Constant Contact, Inc.

Constant Contact is revolutionizing the success formula for small organizations through affordable, easy-to-use Engagement MarketingTM tools that help create and grow customer relationships. More than half a million small businesses, nonprofits, and associations worldwide rely on Constant Contact to drive ongoing customer dialogs through email marketing, social media marketing, event marketing, and online surveys. All Constant Contact products come with unrivaled KnowHow, education, and free coaching with a personal touch, including award-winning customer support.

Constant Contact and the Constant Contact Logo are registered trademarks of Constant Contact, Inc. All Constant Contact product names and other brand names mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of Constant Contact, Inc. All other company and product names may be trademarks or service marks of their respective owners.

Media Contact:

John Kennedy
Marketing Projects Leader
The Mary Kennedy Team
RE/MAX Central
8400 West Sahara Ave.
Las Vegas NV. 89117
Phone 702-324-1334
KennedyRemaxFiles@Yahoo.com

 

Quarterly Economic Business and Activity Report from the Nevada Secretary of State

Posted on: February 28th, 2012 by Mary Kennedy No Comments

Please see the the Quarterly Economic & Business Activity Report put together byApplied Analysis here in Las Vegas, NV.

It says that the new business entity growth figures posted throughout the majority of 2011 suggest increased employment is likely to prevail in the coming quarters. Find all of the latest statistics sourced to the Nevada Secretary of State’s office by downloading the full report.

Although these numbers pertain to our economy, there is no doubt that our Real Estate Market is directly affected by our Economy and Business Activity.

One point that I would like to make to anyone who reads this, is that the Economy and Business Activity are slowly getting better.

Your comments and feedback on this report are invited and will be greatly appreciated. If I can help, please let me know.

Mary Kennedy

The IDEAL Investment

Posted on: February 21st, 2012 by Mary Kennedy No Comments
Rental homes can be the IDEAL investment in today’s real estate market because they offer a much higher rate of return than alternatives without the volatility of ups and downs that you see in the stock market.

IDEAL serves as an acronym to identify the advantages of rental properties:

  • Income from the monthly rent contributes to paying the expenses and a return on the investment.
  • Depreciation is a non-cash deduction that contributes a tax shelter.
  • Equity grows monthly as the mortgage amortizes due to some of each payment being applied to the principal.
  • Appreciation is achieved as the value of the property goes up.
  • Leverage can increase the return on investment by using borrowed funds to control a larger asset.
The combination of these characteristics working together makes rental real estate a very good investment for today’s economy and years to come. Increased rents, high rental demand, good values and low non-owner-occupied mortgage rates contribute to positive cash flows and very favorable rates of return.
Contact me for more information about actual opportunities in the Las Vegas Valley Real Estate  market.

Borrower Risk Determines Interest Rate

Posted on: February 13th, 2012 by Mary Kennedy No Comments

Regardless of what a lender quotes on mortgage rates, the actual rate paid by a borrower is based on a number of variables. Lenders determine whether to loan money and at what rate based on the risk involved with the transaction.

Factors that increase the risk that the loan will be repaid will proportionately increase the interest rate charged to the borrower. If the risk becomes too high, the loan will not be approved.

  • Loan amounts – conventional loans for more than the conforming limits set by Fannie Mae are considered jumbo loans and generally have a higher interest rate.
  • FICO score – the lowest interest rate is reserved for the highest credit scores; the lower the score, the higher the rate borrower will pay.
  • Occupancy – borrowers occupying a home as their principal residence are considered a better loan risk than second homes and investment properties.
  • Loan purpose – purchase transactions generally have the lowest interest rate while refinancing a home is generally higher.
  • Debt-to-Income ratio – a borrower’s monthly liabilities divided by their gross monthly income develops a ratio that helps lenders to assess the borrower’s ability to repay the mortgage.
  • Loan-to-Value ratio – the lower the percentage of the loan to the appraised value of the property will generally lower the interest rate.
Any combination of these factors could limit a borrower’s ability to secure a mortgage at the rate initially quoted. Being pre-approved by a trusted mortgage professional is the best way to know what rate you can expect to pay. For more information, contact me! I can get you in touch with one of my Preferred Service Providers in the Las Vegas Valley

In Search of an Honest Man

Posted on: February 1st, 2012 by Mary Kennedy No Comments

Similar to Diogenes’ search for an honest man, homeowners want someone to do quality repairs at a fair price.  The task appears reasonably easy but if you’ve ever tried to locate someone to fix something, you know just how difficult it is.

Finding a list of companies from a phone book doesn’t mean they’ll be reasonable and reliable, it just means they have a phone and are willing to pay for an ad.  Searching on the Internet may direct you to a website that appears to be a local company but really is a marketing company who will sell the lead to a repairman or company who will pay a referral fee.

There are consumer organizations like Angie’s list who rate repairmen and contractors but they usually require an annual membership fee to be able to access the information.  There are also services like Renovation Experts or Service Magic that are registries for contractors but they may not be the most competitively priced.

Your best recommendations are going to come from friends, family and neighbors you trust who have actually used the repairmen before and would use them again.  The problem here is that you might have to make multiple calls before you can find a friend who can recommend the type contractor you need.

Repairs are a normal part of selling homes and we certainly come in contact with lots of contractors.  This experience leads us to understand who is reputable and reasonable as well as who to avoid.  As part of our commitment to helping you be a better homeowner from the time you buy your home until you sell it, we’re more than happy to make a recommendation of good repairmen or other professionals you might need.  Give us a call…we want to help.

“Ninety Percent of all Millionaires become so through Owning Real Estate.” – Andrew Carnegie

Posted on: January 30th, 2012 by Mary Kennedy No Comments

My goal today is to provide you with information that will assist you with real estate investments. Feel free to stay informed by visiting my Property Search Page for the estimated cash flow on every property.

I’m sending you a short basic scoring key system that evaluates investment properties based on the neighborhood and area. You can download the score card here:

Investment Property Scorecard

If you have any questions about real estate investing, just hit reply to this email, or feel free to call me at (702) 324-5390.

Best regards,
Mary Kennedy

REMAX Central

www.MaryKennedyLasVegas.com

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